Help our member file amicus brief in pledge case

[AuntieSocial]

This excerpt comes from the EvolveFISH newsletter:

In the run-up to the the U.S. "prayer of allegiance" Supreme Court case, the scramble is on for interested parties to file "amicus briefs" in support
or opposition to this religious freedom issue. So far, there isn't a single supporting brief. Now a long-time web publisher, Mister Thorne (www.misterthorne.org) is preparing to file a supporting brief. But it costs around $500 to file the document with the U.S. Supreme court. We are taking a collection on our web site to help him. EvolveFISH.com will match every dollar donated by our customers using the link at www.evolvefish.com/fish/newdow.html

For those who don't know ... misterthorne is also our member LyricalReckoner, the man who up until recently wrote the article "Religion in the News"

On another note, I happen to know that at least three Buffalo NY area organizations are filing an amicus brief on the case. The lawyer preparing the brief on their behalf is an active member of the atheist community on PalTalk.

This is a small way that we can help provide our support in this case. I urge everyone to donate the $10, if they can. The goal is actually less than $250, as EvolveFISH has pledged to match every contribution!


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[nonny]

What is an amicus brief? Becouse amicus seems like it comes from latin, the word amicus which means friendly in latin, so it is kinda confuseing me.

[Yaw]

That's pretty much what it is. An "amicus brief" is something along the lines of "friend of the court". Mr. Thorne is trying to file a legal argument with supporting documentation with the court, so that they can consider it when ruling on this case. Provided the research is done well, this sort of thing helps the court out, as the Supreme Court really doesn't have the time for month-long cases. So they can read the arguments from each side as considered background material, and go from there.

That's my understanding, at least.

[nonny]

oh ok thanks for striaghting that out for me ;D

[AuntieSocial]

Yaw said:

That's pretty much what it is. An "amicus brief" is something along the lines of "friend of the court". Mr. Thorne is trying to file a legal argument with supporting documentation with the court, so that they can consider it when ruling on this case. Provided the research is done well, this sort of thing helps the court out, as the Supreme Court really doesn't have the time for month-long cases. So they can read the arguments from each side as considered background material, and go from there.

That's my understanding, at least.

That's what it is, Yaw and nonbeliever. Amicus Briefs are filed by all parties who feel that they have an interest in the outcome of the case. They are "friends of the court" and are helping in the formulation of a legal basis for the claim.

In the case of the Pledge of Alligence, there will be amicus briefs filed by Atheist Groups, Civil Liberties Groups and theistic groups. It is conceivable that some of the theistic groups may support Newdow's position, if they also translate the meaning of "God" as the Christian deity.

It will be interesting to watch this on play out, though I am not overly optimistic, even with Scalia recusing himself from the case. There is just too much of a possibility that the term "God" will be deemed to be a non-descript higher power (similar to the way that Alcoholics Anonymous has tried to soften their meaning of God).

That's why I think it is very important that as many atheistic amicus briefs be filed as possible. We are the main group who takes exception to the use of the term 'god' in anything that is governmental. In my opinion, even a redefined and watered-down god is pandering to religion.

[AuntieSocial]

I removed the alert from the news fader as the deadline for amicus filings has passed.

There were several amicus briefs filed representing our side of the situation, including American Atheists, FFRF, the one my friend filed and one from MisterThorne (LyricalReckoner).

You can read some of them HERE

Here is MisterThorne's brief